Container construction

ABSTRACT

A container for toothpaste and other substances having a permanently deformable inside dispenser for containing the substance, a resiliently deformable surrounding housing which protects the dispenser, a nozzle on the dispenser or the housing which is adapted to mate with a cap, and a portion on each of the housing and the dispenser which is securely engaged with the other portion for positively restraining relative motion between the housing and dispenser independently of the cap.

United States Patent [191 Ballo [54] CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION [76]Inventor: Frank Ballo, 12442 Sidonie, Warren, Mich. 48089 [22] Filed:June 3, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 149,547

[52] US. Cl ..222/105, 222/215 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 35/56 [58] Field ofSearch....422/92, 94, 95, 105, 183,206, 422/214, 215

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,223,289 12/1965 Boueti..222/95 X 2,743,038 4/1956 Ferries ..222/215 X 3,118,572 1/1964 Harding..222/95 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,251,113 12/1960 France..222/95 [451 Apr. 3, 1973 Primary ExaminerSamuel F. Coleman AssistantExaminer-Larry Martin Attorney-Harness, Dickey & Pierce [57] ABSTRACT Acontainer for toothpaste and other substances having a permanentlydeformable inside dispenser for containing the substance, a resilientlydeformable surrounding housing which protects the dispenser, a nozzle onthe dispenser or the housing which is adapted to mate with a cap, and aportion on each of the housing and the dispenser which is securelyengaged with the other portion for positively restraining relativemotion between the housing and dispenser independently of the cap.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRB I975 3.724.722

INVENTOR.

BY /7//7% iii/ CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATEDAPPLICATION This invention relates to the containers disclosed in myco-pending application Ser. No. 36,l7l filed May II, 1970 and entitledContainer for Toothpaste Dispensers and the Like.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generallyrelates to modifications of the structure shown in the above-referencedapplication. According to this invention, a container is provided whichincludes the combination of a permanently deformable dispenser, aresiliently deformable housing of plastic or the like, and a nozzlewhich has a thread or other adaptation for a cap. According to thisinvention, the dispenser and housing have mutually engaged portionswhich positively restrain the dispenser and housing against relativemovement at the engaged portions. In one exemplary embodiment, thecontainer is provided with an inwardly turned flange which defines anopening for receiving the nozzle of a dispenser and which is dimensionedso as to snap into a circumferential relief or slot in the dispenser topositively restrain relative movement between the dispenser relief andthe housing flange. In another embodiment, the resilient housing isprovided with a nozzle having a bore portion of reduced diameter and anoutwardly adjacent bore portion of increased diameter so that the stemor neck portion of the deformable dispenser may be inserted into thereduced diameter bore portion and expanded at the increased diameterbore portion to securely retain the dispenser within the resilienthousing. In yet another embodiment, the dispenser is provided with theusual conical end of increased thickness to provide substantialcross-sectional 1 rigidity across the shoulder of the conical end of thedispenser. The resilient housing is adapted to snap onto the shoulder toprovide secure engagement therewith. In still another embodiment, aresilient housing is provided which has a circumferential groove orrelief in which an inwardly extending flange of the dispenser resides toprovide secure engagement therebetween. In another embodiment, the endof the dispenser and the container opposite of the nozzle are securelyengaged by heat sealing the resilient container end over the deformabledispenser end. In still another embodiment, an adjustably positionablestop is secured to the housing which abuts the deformable dispenser tosecurely retain the dispenser in position.

It will be appreciated that the container of this invention isexceptionally durable and has an attractive external appearance.Moreover, the containers of the present invention avoid the usualproblem encountered in the use of dispensers having resilient housings,namely, the tendency of the resilient housing to assume its originalstate after partial depletion so as to create an air space within thedispenser. On subsequent use, the air space results in irregular eggressof the substance in the dispenser which is annoying and at timeswasteful. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the permanentlydeformable internal dispenser of this invention, once deformed, does notreturn ,to its original shape thereby circumventing the above problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 6 and 7 are views of yet anotherexemplary embodiment of a container according to the present inventionwith FIG. 7 being a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 7-7 ofFIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1A and B, anexemplary container construction 10 is illustrated which includes aresiliently deformable elongated housing 12 and a permanently deformableelongated dispenser 14. The housing 12 is preferably made of a plastic.material such as polypropelene while the dispenser 14 is made ofrelatively soft metallic material such as tin or the like. The housing12 is of generally circular cross section so asto substantiallyencapsulate the dispenser l4 and includes one partially closed end 16 ofconical cross section and one open end 18. The partially closed end 16has a radially-inward extending flange portion 20 which is in closemating engagement with a circumferential, radially inward extendingrelief or slot 22 at the neck of the nozzle portion 24 of the metallicdispenser 14. The nozzle portion 24 further includes a threaded portion26 which is adapted to be threadedly engaged with a cap 28 or othersuitable closure for the nozzle bore. The relief 22 and the flange 20are adapted to be mated by pressing the threaded portion 26 of the stem24 by the flange 20 until the flange 20 snaps into the relief 22 so asto securely attach the housing 12 to the dispenser 14. It can be seenthat the engagement of the flange 20 and the relief 22 positivelyrestrains relative motion along the longitudinal axis of the container10 of the engaged portions of the container 12 and the dispenser 14. Theflange 20 and the relief 22 may be dimensioned or configured so that thedispenser l4 and the plastic housing 12 are relatively permanentlyaffixed, for example, by providing a deep relief 22 or a substantialinterferingfit between the two parts. The same result may be achieved byproviding barb-like engaging portions. If desired, the relief may be ofrelatively shallow depth and the fit may be free of substantialinterference so that dispenser 14 may be removed when depleted and a newdispenser 14 inserted.

In FIG. 2, another construction of a container according tothe presentinvention is illustrated. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a plastic housing30 is utilized whichv is provided with a nozzle portion 32 having moldedthreads for threadedly engaging a cap 35. The plastic housing 30generally encapsulates a deformable metallic dispenser 34 which has aconical end 36 which closely mates with a conical end part 38 of theplastic housing 30. The dispenser 34 has a neck 40 which closely mateswith a bore portion 42 of the housing 30. It can be seen in FIG. 2 thatthe bore portion 42 transitions to an enlarged bore portion 44. Themetallic dispenser 34 is secured to the housing 30 by a portion 46 whichconforms to the transition between the reduced bore portion 42 and theenlarged bore portion 44, and extends along the enlarged bore portion44. Preferably, the end 48 of the dispenser 34 is inwardly disposed withrespect to the end 50 of the plastic housing 30, i.e. inset, so that themetallic dispenser 34 is not exposed during use. During assembly, adispenser '34 having a stem portion no larger than the reduced boreportion 42, may be secured to the housing 30 by first inserting thedispenser 34 into the bore 42, and thereafter, flaring the portion 46into engagement with the enlarged bore portion 44.

In FIG. 3, still another construction according to the present inventionis illustrated. In FIG. 3, a plastic container 52 is illustrated incombination with a defonnable metallic dispenser 54 having a threadedstem 56 which is adapted to threadedly engage a cap 58. The dispenser 54has the usual conical end 60 and a shoulder 62 at the intersection ofthe conical end 60 and the dispenser deformable body 64. It will beappreciated that the conical end 60 is of enlarged thickness so as topresent a relatively high resistance to cross-sectional deformationunder loads applied across the shoulder 62. The container 52 has ashoulder portion 66 of generally enlarged cross-sectional thicknesswhich defines a generally longitudinally extending bore portion 68 and aradially inwardly extending conical flange portion 70 which is adaptedto mate with the conical end 60 of the dispenser 54. The bore 68 andflange 70 are in close mating engagement with the conical end 60 andshoulder 62 of the conical end 60, so as to retain the dispenser 54 inposition within the housing 52. Preferably, an interference fit isestablished between the bore 68 and the shoulder 62. The flange 70terminates at 72 to provide a bore of sufficient diameter so that thenozzle 56 and the cap 58 of the dispenser 54 may be insertedtherethrough. Also preferably, the dispenser is removable forreplacement after depletion.

In FIG. 4, still another embodiment of a container according to thepresent invention is illustrated. In FIG. 4, a container 74 isillustrated having a plastic housing 76 and a deformable metallicdispenser 78. The plastic housing 76 is provided with an externallythreaded nozzle 80 for engaging a cap 82. The housing 76 also has aconical end portion 84 which joins a circumferential radially-inwardlyextending slot 86 which accepts an inwardly turned flange 88 on thedispenser 78 so as to positively retain the dispenser flange 88. As canbe seen in the drawings, the dispenser flange 88 has a forward surface90 which mates with the flange 84 of the housing 76.

In FIG. 5, another embodiment of the present invention is shown having aplastic housing 92 in combination with a dispenser 94 which is joinedwith the housing 92 at the rearward closed end 96 of the dispenser. Thehousing 92 may have a forward conical end porzle as disclosed in myaforementioned copending application. The closed end 96 is encapsulatedwithin a heat sealed portion 98 of the container 92 whereby the outersurface 100 of the end part of the dispenser 94 is in sealed retainingengagement with the inner surface 102 of the container 92. The end 96 ofthe dispenser 94 may be closed as by crimping prior to heat sealing ofthe portion 98, or if desired, the end 96 may be closed and the portion98 may be heat sealed in one operation.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, yet another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a plastic housing 103 having aforward conical end portion with an opening freely receiving thedispenser nozzle as disclosed in my aforementioned copending applicationmay be utilized. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opposite endincludes a beaded end portion 104, a central longitudinally extendingslot 106 having an upwardly extending flange 108 and a downwardlyextending flange 110 on one side of the slot 106, and an upwardlyextending flange 112 and a downwardly extending flange 114 on the otherside of the slot 106. A slider 116 is positioned within the groove 106to close the end of the housing 103 by compressing the central portionof the container 103. To this end, the slider 116 is provided with acentral web 118 which is positioned within the slot 106, a pair oftransverse slots 120 and 122 which receive the compressed containeradjacent the flanges 108-114, and perpendicularly disposed T-grooves 124and 126 which receive the flanges 108-114. It will be appreciated thatthe slider 116 is securely retained in a longitudinally adjustableposition by the frictional forces resulting from the restraint orcompression of the housing 103. It will be further appreciated that theslider 116 can be positioned to abut the dispenser 128 so that theforward end of the dispenser 128 resides against the opposite conicalend of the housing 103 to securely retain the dispenser 128 in positionwith respect to the housing 103.

In each of the embodiments of this invention, it will be appreciatedthat the dispenser is positively retained within the plastic housing bya gripping or interlocking engagement between portions of the two sothat relative longitudinal motion at the engaged portions of thecontainer and the plastic housing is restrained. This constructionprovides a container which is exceptionally convenient to use and onewhich has a high degree of durability.

Although the containers particularly described above are adapted forcontaining a single substance to be dispensed, the container may bereadily adapted for use with multiple substance packages such as twopart epoxys and the like by providing two or more resilient housingswhich may be joined, for example, along a longitudinal axis thereof sothat the deformable metal dispensers are conveniently joined in parallelrelationship.

While it will be apparent that the teachings herein are well calculatedto each one skilled in the art the method of making the preferredembodiments of this invention, it will be appreciated that the inventionis susceptible to modification, variation and change without departingfrom the proper scope of meaning of A the subjoined claims.

tion with an opening freely receiving the dispenser noz- What is claimedis:

l. A container for a substance such as toothpaste and an elongatedpermanently deformable metallic the like comprising: dispenser forcontaining the substance; and

an elongated permanently deformable metallic plastic means including aplastic nozzle having an dispenser for containing the substance; andopening communicating with said metallic plastic means including aplastic nozzle having an 5 dispenser for forced egress of the substanceopening communicating with said metallic dispenser for forced egress ofthe substance therewithin by compressive deformation of said metallicdispenser being adapted to mate with a therewithin by compressivedeformation of said metallic dispenser being adapted to mate with a capmeans for closing said opening, a plastic shoulder generally radiallyoutwardly extending cap means for closing said opening, a plastic 16from said plastic nozzle for providing a plastic end shoulder generallyradially outwardly extendin structure with said nozzle, and a plasticprotecting from said plastic nozzle for roviding a l ti d meanssurrounding said metallic dispenser for prostructure with said nozzle,and a l ti protecting tecting said metallic dispenser which isdeformable means surrounding said metallic dispenser for proto aiiowdefoi'mation of said metallic dispenser; tecting said metallic dispenserwhich is deformabl said metallic dispenser and said plastic meansincludto allow deformation of said metallic dispenser; ing means forjoining said metallic dispenser and said metallic dispenser and saidplastic means includsaid Plastic means including an g g g POriiOn imeans f j i i id lli dispenser d on said plastic means which is acircumferentially said plastic means including an engaging portionextending recess having at least a generally radi' on said plastic meanswhich is a circumferentially 20 any-inwardly extending remiss P and anextending recess having at least a generally radigaging Portion on saidmetallic dispenser which is ally-inwardly extending recess portion; andan ena circumferentiany extending flange having at least gaging portionon said metallic dispenser which is 'f y radialiy'ifiwardiy extendingflange P a circumferentially extending flange having at least isaldflange Portion residing in Said fecess P a generallyradially-inwardly extending flange porsaid Plastic means engaging P 50as 'f tion, said flange portion residing in said recess porbe interposedbetween poi'tfons of said Plastic tion of said plastic means engagingportion so as to fneans f q Securely retained in sfiid recessi beinterposed between portions of Said plastic said metallic dispenser andsaid plastic protecting means and to be securely retained insaid'recess. means y s an end opposite id Plastic Ollie 2. A containerfor a substance such as toothpaste and means which is closed by heatSealingthe like comprising:

1. A container for a substance such as toothpaste and the likecomprising: an elongated permanently deformable metallic dispenser forcontaining the substance; and plastic means including a plastic nozzlehaving an opening communicating with said metallic dispenser for forcedegress of the substance therewithin by compressive deformation of saidmetallic dispenser being adapted to mate with a cap means for closingsaid opening, a plastic shoulder generally radially outwardly extendingfrom said plastic nozzle for providing a plastic end structure with saidnozzle, and a plastic protecting means surrounding said metallicdispenser for protecting said metallic dispenser which is deformable toallow deformation of said metallic dispenser; said metallic dispenserand said plastic means including means for joining said metallicdispenser and said plastic means including an engaging portion on saidplastic means which is a circumferentially extending recess having atleast a generally radially-inwardly extending recess portion; and anengaging portion on said metallic dispenser which is a circumferentiallyextending flange having at least a generally radially-inwardly extendingflange portion, said flange portion residing in said recess portion ofsaid plastic means engaging portion so as to be interposed betweenportions of said plastic means and to be securely retained in saidrecess.
 2. A container for a substance such as toothpaste and the likecomprising: an elongated permanently deformable metallic dispenser forcontaining the substance; and plastic means including a plastic nozzlehaving an opening communicating with said metallic dispenser for forcedegress of the substance therewithin by compressive deformation of saidmetallic dispenser being adapted to mate with a cap means for closingsaid opening, a plastic shoulder generally radially outwardLy extendingfrom said plastic nozzle for providing a plastic end structure with saidnozzle, and a plastic protecting means surrounding said metallicdispenser for protecting said metallic dispenser which is deformable toallow deformation of said metallic dispenser; said metallic dispenserand said plastic means including means for joining said metallicdispenser and said plastic means including an engaging portion on saidplastic means which is a circumferentially extending recess having atleast a generally radially-inwardly extending recess portion; and anengaging portion on said metallic dispenser which is a circumferentiallyextending flange having at least a generally radially-inwardly extendingflange portion, said flange portion residing in said recess portion ofsaid plastic means engaging portion so as to be interposed betweenportions of said plastic means and to be securely retained in saidrecess; said metallic dispenser and said plastic protecting means havingan end opposite said plastic nozzle means which is closed by heatsealing.